JP5151574B2 - Information display device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display device having a display panel having an input function, and a driving method thereof.

  Conventionally, as represented by a liquid crystal touch panel, an information display device in which a display panel has an input function is known. This information display device requires an interface that can be used intuitively by the user. For example, there is a need for a technology that can directly add various information such as lines and characters to the display contents using a touch pen or the like. Yes.

  In order to realize such a technique, a transparent electrode is applied to the input device, and the input device is disposed on the display device. However, the transmittance of light with respect to the transparent electrode is not 100%, and light attenuation occurs when light passes through the transparent electrode. For this reason, for example, when white is to be displayed, the reproducibility of the display image and the brightness are reduced such that a slightly grayish white is output.

  In particular, in so-called reflective display devices such as electronic paper, since image display is realized by appropriately reflecting incident light, the light passes through the transparent electrode twice at the time of incidence and at the time of emission, and the display is performed. Image reproducibility and brightness are more likely to be reduced. Specifically, when the transmittance of the transparent electrode is 90%, the light passes through the transparent electrode twice, so that the amount of light is about 80% (0.9 × 0.9 = 0.81). It will decline. Therefore, in the display panel, the transmittance of the member on the upper surface of the display causes a significant decrease in display performance.

  In view of this, various techniques for simplifying the configuration and facilitating the manufacturing by sharing the electrode of the display device with the electrode of the input device have been proposed (for example, Patent Documents). 1-3).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 07-69766 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-139016 JP 2007-226530 A

  However, in the technologies proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, assuming that the information display device requires a certain amount of time (for example, 100 milliseconds) to switch the display content, such as electronic paper, Since no input is accepted during switching, the user cannot freely perform continuous information input such as line drawing or additional writing of characters.

  Such problems are not limited to reflective information display devices, and are common to information display devices including information display devices of a type (self-luminous type) in which display elements that emit light themselves are used. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even with an information display device with a slow display content rewriting speed, it is possible to improve operability and image quality related to continuous and direct input by a user. It aims at providing the technology which can aim at.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention of claim 1 employs a system using an electrochromic display element or a system using electrodeposition utilizing dissolution and precipitation of a metal or a metal salt. the display medium sandwiched between the first electrode and the transparent second electrode, of the display medium by applying a voltage for imparting an electric field to the display media between the first electrode and the second electrode Rutotomoni switch images by the state change, does not consume power for retaining the image by using the reflection of external light to realize a display of an image in the display medium, the input position of the second electrode is information A display unit used for detecting the detection, a detection unit for detecting an input position of information with respect to the second electrode, and a control for switching an image on the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit And shows the control unit, in the first period for the switching of the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit is an image, the respective periods of the plurality of times included in the middle of the first period, the display unit of the image After the switching from the first state to the second state in which the information input position is detected by the detection unit, the second state is switched to the first state, and the detection unit in the plurality of times In the second period in which the display unit switches the image based on the detection result by the first state in which the display unit switches the image in each of a plurality of periods included in the middle of the second period, wherein after switching to the second state to detect the input position information by the detection unit, characterized in that it comprises a from the second state the toggle its state switching unit to the first state, the.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information display device according to claim 1, wherein the state switching unit is configured so that the second electrode and the display control unit are electrically connected to each other. Switching from the first state to the second state is performed by switching to a state where the two electrodes and the detection unit are electrically connected.

The invention of claim 3 employs a system using an electrochromic display element or a system using electrodeposition utilizing dissolution and precipitation of a metal or a metal salt, which is transparent to the first electrode. display medium is sandwiched between the second electrode, the voltage Ru switch images by the state change of the display media by applying an electric field to the display media by applying between the second electrode and the first electrode In addition, a display unit that uses the reflection of external light on the display medium to realize image display and consumes no power for holding the image , and the second electrode is used for detection of an information input position. And a detection unit that detects an input position of information with respect to the second electrode, and a display control unit that controls to switch an image on the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit. A method of driving a multi-address display, (a) in a first period in which the display unit based on a detection result by the detecting unit performs the switching of the image, each period of multiple included in the middle of the first period the first step from the first state in which the display unit to switch the image, after switching to the second state to detect the input position information by the detecting unit, Ru switched from the second state to the first state And (b) a plurality of times included in the middle of the second period in the second period in which the display unit switches images based on the detection results of the detection unit in the plurality of periods of the first step . each period, from a first state in which the display unit to switch the image, after switching to the second state to detect the input position information by the detecting unit, Ru switched from the second state to the first state Second step , Characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the input of information is accepted even during the switching of display contents while sharing the display electrode and the electrode for detecting information input. Therefore, even in an information display device whose display content rewriting speed is slow, it is possible to improve the operability and the image quality related to continuous and direct input by the user.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Information display device>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information display device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information display device 1 mainly includes a display input panel 10, a control unit 20, and an operation unit 30.

  The display input panel 10 includes a display unit 11, a position detection circuit 12, a display control circuit 13, and a state switching circuit 14.

  The display unit 11 is a part that displays a two-dimensional image, and constitutes a screen having a rectangular outline. The display unit 11 is configured such that a display medium is sandwiched between two electrodes that control the state of the display medium, and one electrode also functions as an input receiving unit 111 that receives input of information.

  The position detection circuit 12 detects an input position of information with respect to the input receiving unit 111.

  The display control circuit 13 has various drivers, and controls display of images on the display unit 11 in response to various signals input from the control unit 20 in accordance with image signals.

  The state switching circuit 14 switches the display input panel 10 between a state in which an information input position is detected by the position detection circuit 12 (input detection mode) and a state in which a display image is switched under the control of the display control circuit 13 (display switching mode). Switch to and.

  The control unit 20 controls the operation of the information display device 1 in an integrated manner. For example, the control unit 20 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and the CPU stores a program stored in the ROM. Implement various controls and functions. For example, the control unit 20 outputs a signal corresponding to the detection result by the position detection circuit 12 to the display control circuit 13, thereby realizing display image switching on the display unit 11 based on the detection result by the position detection circuit 12. .

  The operation unit 30 includes, for example, various buttons, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 20 when the user appropriately operates the operation unit 30.

<Display input panel>
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the display unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 11 is configured by laminating a base substrate La, an electrode circuit layer Lb, a display element layer Lc, a common electrode Ld, a transparent substrate Le, and a protective layer Lf in order from the bottom. . Note that the user can view the display image and input information from the protective layer Lf side.

  The base substrate La is made of, for example, a glass substrate.

  The electrode circuit layer Lb is composed of a conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and is grounded (a ground electrode, corresponding to the “first electrode” of the present invention), a display element And a circuit for driving each pixel constituting the layer Lc.

  In the display element layer Lc, a medium (display medium) for realizing image display is arranged for each pixel on the electrode circuit layer Lb, and the electrode circuit layer Lb (specifically, a ground electrode) and a common electrode are arranged. It is sandwiched between Ld. Here, the display element layer Lc realizes image display by controlling the reflection state of external light, and the display element 121 (see FIG. 7) constituting each pixel has a display medium serving as a ground electrode. It is sandwiched between the common electrodes Ld. Then, when a voltage is appropriately applied between the electrode circuit layer Lb and the common electrode Ld for each pixel and an electric field is applied to the display medium, a current corresponding thereto flows in the display medium, and display is performed by a change in state of the display medium. The image switches.

  The common electrode Ld (corresponding to the “second electrode” of the present invention) is made of a conductive and transparent material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), and is formed on the entire surface of all pixels of the display unit 11. It arrange | positions so that it may become the aspect of one electrode. The common electrode Ld has a function of applying an electric field to the display element layer Lc in order to switch display in the display element layer Lc, and a function used to receive an input of information and detect an input position of information. Have both.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the common electrode Ld is in a state of being electrically connected to the position detection circuit 12 and a state of being electrically connected to the display control circuit 13 by the switch unit Sw. Set selectively. Here, the state is switched between the input detection mode and the display switching mode by switching the connection state by the switch unit Sw by the state switching circuit 14 (corresponding to the “state switching unit” of the present invention).

  The transparent substrate Le is made of a transparent material such as glass.

  The protective layer Lf is an AR coat (Anti-Reflection Coat) having an antireflection function.

  Therefore, external light passes through the protective layer Lf, the transparent substrate Le, and the common electrode Ld, is appropriately reflected by the display element layer Lc, passes through the common electrode Ld, the transparent substrate Le, and the protective layer Lf, and is emitted to the outside. As a result, the display image is visually recognized by the user.

<Principle of information input>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an information input mode on the display input panel 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the information display device 1, by touching the display input panel 10 with the finger Fr or a dedicated touch pen from the protective layer Lf side, characters, figures, etc. are directly applied to the display image. Can be written. Hereinafter, an example in which writing is performed with the finger Fr will be described.

  5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting a position touched with the finger Fr, that is, an input coordinate of information. Here, a so-called capacitance method is employed.

  FIG. 5 shows a one-dimensional detection method of information input coordinates.

  An AC power source E1 is electrically connected to one end of the common electrode Ld via a predetermined resistor Rr1, and an AC power source E2 is electrically connected to the other end of the common electrode Ld via a predetermined resistor Rr2. ing. Each AC power source E1, E2 is grounded on the opposite side to the common electrode Ld.

  The common electrode Ld receives AC voltage (potential e) having the same phase and the same frequency from both ends. At this time, if there is no touch such as the finger Fr, the potential applied from both ends is always the same, so no current is generated in the common electrode Ld.

  Here, when both ends of the surface of the screen are points A and B, when the finger Fr touches a certain position (point C), the transparent substrate Le and the protective layer Lf are interposed between the finger Fr and the common electrode Ld. And the finger Fr is in a state of being grounded via a predetermined resistance Z, so that a so-called capacitive coupling occurs at the point C. Note that the electrical resistance between both ends of the common electrode Ld is R, the resistance from the end of the common electrode Ld on the point A side to just below the point C is R1, and the end of the common electrode Ld on the point B side is just below the point C. When the resistance up to R2 is R2, the following equation (1) is established.

    R = R1 + R2 (1)

  Then, due to capacitive coupling at point C, a current corresponding to the alternating voltage (potential e) applied to the common electrode Ld is generated at the finger Fr. The same current as this current is also generated on the common electrode Ld side. Here, since the potentials at both ends are the same at e, the amount of change in voltage from both ends of the common electrode Ld to immediately below the point C has the same value. At this time, if the voltage change caused by capacitive coupling related to the finger Fr is e1, the current flowing through the resistor Rr1 is i1, and the current flowing through the resistor Rr2 is i2, the following equations (2) and (3) are established.

e1 = i1 * R1 = i2 * R2 (2)
R1 / R2 = i2 / i1 (3)

  Therefore, assuming that the resistance per unit length of the common electrode Ld is constant, the coordinates of the position touched by the finger Fr can be detected by measuring the currents i1 and i2 flowing through the resistors Rr1 and Rr2.

  FIG. 6 shows a method for detecting input coordinates of information on the screen of the display unit 11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, AC power supplies E1 to E4 are electrically connected to the four corners of the common electrode Ld via predetermined resistors, respectively, and the AC power supplies E1 to E4 are on the opposite side to the common electrode Ld. Grounded. At this time, when the surface of the display unit 11 is touched with the finger Fr, the current flowing through the resistors respectively connected to the four corners of the common electrode Ld is measured to thereby touch the surface of the display unit 11 with the finger Fr. The coordinates of the given position are detected. The position detection circuit 12 applies the AC voltage and measures the current to the common electrode Ld described above, and detects the information input position and input time.

<Image display>
Reflective displays that use external light and do not consume power for image retention (memory type) are known. Electrochromic display elements (hereinafter referred to as “EC method”) are methods that aim to improve image quality and durability. And an electrodeposition method (hereinafter referred to as “ED method”) using dissolution precipitation of metals or metal salts is known (for example, International Patent Publication No. 2004/066831, Pamphlet of International Patent No. 2004/066773). U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,716, Japanese Patent No. 3428603, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-241227, etc.).

  On the other hand, the display element 121 according to the present embodiment is an improvement of the above ED method, sandwiching a layer containing an electrolyte, an electrochromic compound, or the like between the counter electrodes, and the color of the electrochromic compound by driving the counter electrode. SECD (Silver Electric Chromic Deposition Display), which is a display element capable of displaying gradations of white, black and other colors by changing the above, is employed. Hereinafter, the display element 121 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of the display element 121.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the display element 121 is configured by holding a predetermined electrolyte 121b between a transparent electrode 121a and a silver electrode 121c that are integrally formed with the common electrode Ld. The transparent electrode 121a and the silver electrode 121c are connected to a transformer (hereinafter referred to as “current source”) Ed serving as a current supply source. In such a configuration, when a current i is applied from the current source Ed to the silver electrode 121c in the direction of the arrow in the figure, a silver deposition reaction in the electrolyte 121b occurs. The deposited silver absorbs light, and the concentration of the display element 121 viewed from the transparent electrode 121a side becomes high and appears black. SECD uses an electrolyte 121b containing an electrochromic compound, so that color is generated according to the applied current i and color display can be performed in addition to black and white gradation.

  On the other hand, when a current i is applied from the current source Ed to the silver electrode 121c in the direction opposite to the arrow in the drawing, a silver dissolution reaction in the electrolyte 121b occurs. That is, the deposited silver is dissolved and changed to transparent. The SECD electrolyte 121b contains white scatterers (such as titanium oxide), and light is reflected by the white scatterers, so that it appears white from the outside. For this reason, when the current i is applied in a direction opposite to the arrow in the drawing for a certain time (for example, 100 milliseconds), the density and color of the display element 121 viewed from the transparent electrode 121a become white in the initial state. Ved is a voltage between the transparent electrode 121a and the silver electrode 121c when the current i is applied.

  Here, the electrolyte 121b included in the display element 121 can be prepared by, for example, phase inversion of silver from a silver salt aqueous solution to a non-aqueous silver salt solution. Such an aqueous silver salt solution can be prepared by dissolving a known silver salt in water. An electrochromic compound may be any compound as long as it exhibits a phenomenon (electrochromism) in which the optical absorption properties (color and light transmittance) of a substance reversibly change due to electrochemical redox. good. Specific compounds include "Electrochromic display" (June 28, 1991, Sangyo Tosho Co., Ltd.) p27-124, "Development of chromic materials" (November 15, 2000, CMC Co., Ltd.) p81. The compound described in -95 etc. can be mentioned.

  Next, the density change of the display element 121 will be specifically described. The color (density) of the display element 121 is set by the amount of current flowing in the display element 121 for a certain period of time.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the color and the current amount. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the amount of current flowing and the concentration when a current is passed from the transparent electrode 121a to the silver electrode 121c for a certain period of time in the display element 121. The vertical axis | shaft of FIG. 8 shows a color number and shows ten steps of 1-10. FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating colors corresponding to the 10-stage color numbers indicated by the vertical axis in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the color number 0 is red, the density of red is gradually reduced from the color numbers 0 to 5, the color number 6 is white, and the color number 7 to 9 is gray. The color number 10 is black. Note that the color stage is not limited to the 10-stage numerical value. In addition, the horizontal axis of FIG. 8 indicates the amount of current (unit: μA).

  As shown in FIG. 8, by flowing a desired current through the display element 121 for a certain period of time, the reflected light of the display element 121 can be set to a color according to the desired color number among the color numbers 1 to 10. Specifically, when the reflected light of the display element 121 is changed from the color related to the color number 0 to the color related to the color number 10, it is necessary to apply a current of 10 μA from the transparent electrode 121a to the silver electrode 121c. There is. On the contrary, when the reflected light of the display element 121 is changed from the color related to the color number 10 to the color related to the color number 0, it is necessary to apply a current of 10 μA from the silver electrode 121c to the transparent electrode 121a. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the pixel circuit Pc related to the display of the display input panel 10.

  The pixel circuit Pc is a circuit for realizing color development of one pixel in the display unit 11 and is arranged in a matrix in the display unit 11. The pixel circuit Pc includes a circuit included in the electrode circuit layer Lb and a display element 121. Specifically, the pixel circuit Pc includes a display element 121 and n-type first and second transistors Tr1 and Tr2. The pixel circuit Pc is supplied with the potential from the source driver Sd and the potential from the gate driver Gd. The source driver Sd and the gate driver Gd are included in the display control circuit 13 and apply a potential corresponding to a signal from the control unit 20 to the pixel circuit Pc.

  The gate of the first transistor Tr1 is electrically connected to the gate driver Gd, the source of the first transistor Tr1 is electrically connected to the source driver Sd, and the drain of the first transistor Tr1 is the second transistor. It is electrically connected to the gate of Tr2. One electrode of the second transistor Tr2 is electrically connected to the ground electrode GND, and the other electrode of the second transistor Tr2 is electrically connected to the silver electrode 121c side of the display element 121. Further, the transparent electrode 121a side of the display element 121 is electrically connected to the common electrode Ld.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the driving of the pixel circuit Pc. In FIG. 11A, 1.5 V is applied to the common electrode Ld, and the current Ia flows from the transparent electrode 121a side to the silver electrode 121c side in the display element 121, whereby the color number shown in FIG. 9 increases. The driving state of the pixel circuit Pc at this time is shown. In FIG. 11B, −1.5 V is applied to the common electrode Ld, and the current Ib flows from the silver electrode 121c side to the transparent electrode 121a side in the display element 121, so that the color numbers shown in FIG. The driving state of the pixel circuit Pc when falls is shown.

  Here, in order to control the current flowing through the display element 121, the gate voltage of the second transistor Tr2 is appropriately set so that a desired current flows between one electrode and the other electrode of the second transistor Tr2. Just do it. Here, the source driver Sd applies a desired positive potential to the source of the first transistor Tr1, and the gate driver Gd applies a predetermined positive potential to the gate of the first transistor Tr1, so that the gate of the second transistor Tr2 In this state, positive charges are accumulated in the gate voltage, and the gate voltage is adjusted.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the voltage (source voltage, unit: V) supplied from the source driver Sd to the source of the first transistor Tr1 and the current value (unit: μA) flowing through the display element 121. It is. As shown in FIG. 12, in order to flow a current of 1 μA through the display element 121, it is necessary to set the source voltage to 0.5 V, and in order to flow a current of 1 to 10 μA through the display element 121. The source voltage may be increased by about 0.01 V with respect to the increase in current of 1 μA.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart relating to driving of the pixel circuit Pc. FIG. 13 shows a timing chart when a desired current flows between the one electrode and the other electrode of the second transistor Tr2 for 100 milliseconds. FIG. 13 shows, in order from the top, changes with time in (a) the state of the second transistor Tr2, (b) the state of the source driver Sd, and (c) the state of the gate driver Gd.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when a desired positive potential is applied to the source of the first transistor Tr1 by the source driver Sd and a predetermined positive potential is applied to the gate of the first transistor Tr1 by the gate driver Gd, Positive charge is accumulated in the gate of the transistor Tr2, and a state (ON state) in which a desired current can flow between one electrode and the other electrode of the second transistor Tr2 is set (time T1). Note that the state in which the source driver Sd applies a desired positive potential (ON state) and the state in which the gate driver Gd applies a predetermined positive potential (ON state) are set for a relatively short time (time T1 to T2). It should be done.

  Thereafter, after the second transistor Tr2 is held in the ON state for a certain time (about 100 milliseconds), 0 V is applied to the source of the first transistor Tr1 by the source driver Sd, and the gate of the first transistor Tr1 is supplied by the gate driver Gd. When a predetermined positive potential is applied to the gate electrode, the positive charge accumulated in the gate of the second transistor Tr2 is released to the gate driver Gd, and a current flows between one electrode and the other electrode of the second transistor Tr2. An unobtainable state (OFF state) is reached (time T3). Even when the second transistor Tr2 is shifted from the ON state to the OFF state, the ON state of the source driver Sd and the ON state of the gate driver Gd should be set for a relatively short time (time T3 to T4). good.

<Operation of information display device>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a timing chart relating to input of information and switching of a display image in the information display device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the information display device 1, based on the previous detection result (information input position and input time) by the position detection circuit 12, the display unit 11 switches the display image for the period Pw1 (in the figure). Display image at a predetermined timing (here, four periods of 1 millisecond or less at intervals of about 20 milliseconds, the hatched portion in the figure) at a sandy hatched portion of the sand, here about 100 milliseconds) Is switched from the state (display switching mode) in which switching is performed to the state (input detection mode) in which the position detection circuit 12 detects the input position of the next information. In the input detection mode, the position detection circuit 12 detects the information input position and its input time.

  Subsequently, based on the detection result (information input position and input time) by the position detection circuit 12 in the four periods Pi, the display unit 11 switches the display image during the period Pw2 (sandy hatching part in the figure). In this case, the display image is switched at a predetermined timing (here, four periods of 1 millisecond or less at intervals of about 20 milliseconds, and hatched portions in the figure) at a predetermined timing (about 100 milliseconds). The state (display switching mode) is switched to the state (input detection mode) in which the position detection circuit 12 detects the input position of the next information.

  With such an operation, for example, when the display input panel 10 is used in an electronic paper manner, the display image is switched based on the input position of the previous information (for example, writing or drawing of characters) by the user. During the process, information input by the user is sampled at a predetermined timing. That is, on the display input panel 10, when a user writes a character or drawing as if drawing with a pencil or a pen, the input of information is accepted while the written information is reflected on the display image as needed. Therefore, the user can continuously write characters, drawings and the like according to the intention without a sense of incongruity.

  Here, an operation flow for realizing improvement in operability of the information display device 1 by appropriately switching between the display switching mode and the input detection mode will be described.

  15 to 17 are flowcharts showing the operation flow of the information display device 1. This operation flow is realized under the control of the control unit 20. For example, when the operation unit 30 is appropriately operated by the user and the information display device 1 is set to a mode in which handwriting is received (handwriting mode), FIG. Proceed to step S1.

  In step S1, the connection state of the switch unit Sw is switched by the state switching circuit 14, whereby the common electrode Ld and the position detection circuit 12 are electrically connected, and the information display device 1 is set to the input detection mode. Is done.

  In step S2, the position detection circuit 12 performs an operation for detecting the input position of information by the user. At this time, the control unit 20 acquires input data (data indicating the input position and input time) from the position detection circuit 12 and stores it in the memory.

  In step S3, it is determined whether or not there has been writing depending on whether or not new input data has been obtained in step S2 by the control unit 20. Here, in step S2, when the display unit 11 is touched by the user's finger Fr, a dedicated touch pen, or the like, it is determined that writing has occurred because new input data is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S11 in FIG. move on. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no writing, the process returns to step S2. Here, in the case of proceeding to step S11 in FIG. 16, operations for switching display images and inputting information are started.

  In step S11 of FIG. 16, the control unit 20 converts the input data stored in the memory into display data (display data).

  In step S12, the connection state of the switch unit Sw is switched by the state switching circuit 14, whereby the common electrode Ld and the display control circuit 13 are electrically connected, and the information display device 1 is set to the display switching mode. Is done.

  In Step S13, switching of the display image based on the display data stored in the memory is started by the control unit 20 and the display control circuit 13 (for example, time t1 in FIG. 14).

  In step S14, the display counter s is set to 5 by the control unit 20. This display counter s is appropriately stored in the memory.

  In step S15, the timer of the control unit 20 starts timing from 0 seconds.

  In step S16, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the timer whose time has been started in step S15 has reached 20 milliseconds. Here, the determination in step S16 is repeated until the timer reaches 20 milliseconds, and when the timer reaches 20 milliseconds, the process proceeds to step S17. That is, switching of the display image gradually proceeds for 20 milliseconds until the timer reaches 0 to 20 milliseconds.

  In step S17, the control counter 20 decrements the display counter s by one.

  In step S18, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the display counter s is 0. If the display counter s is not 0, the process proceeds to step S19. If the display counter s is 0, the process proceeds to step S31 in FIG.

  In step S19, the connection state of the switch unit Sw is switched by the state switching circuit 14, whereby the common electrode Ld and the position detection circuit 12 are electrically connected, and the information display device 1 is set to the input detection mode. (For example, time t2, t4, t6, t8, etc. in FIG. 14).

  In step S20, the position detection circuit 12 performs an operation for detecting the input position of information by the user. At this time, the control unit 20 acquires input data (data indicating the input position and input time) from the position detection circuit 12 and stores it in the memory. At this time, the potential applied to the display element 121 by the source driver Sd and the gate driver Gd to switch the display image is held, but the common electrode Ld is electrically connected to the position detection circuit 12. Rewriting of the display image stops.

  In step S21, the state switching circuit 14 switches the connection state of the switch unit Sw, whereby the common electrode Ld and the display control circuit 13 are electrically connected, and the information display device 1 is set to the display switching mode. (For example, times t3, t5, t7, t9, etc. in FIG. 14). When the process of step S21 is completed, the process returns to step S15.

  In step S31 of FIG. 17, the switching of the display image based on the display data stored in the memory is ended by the control unit 20 and the display control circuit 13 (for example, time t10 of FIG. 14). If the user inputs information while the processes in steps S15 to S18 are repeated five times, the input data for four times is stored in the memory in step S20.

  In step S32, the control unit 20 determines whether or not input data is stored in the memory. Here, if input data is stored in the memory, the process proceeds to step S11 in FIG. 16 in order to switch the display image based on the input data. On the other hand, if no input data is stored in the memory, there is no information input by the user and there is no need to switch the display image, so the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, it is determined whether or not the control unit 20 has instructed to end the handwriting mode. If there is an instruction to end the handwriting mode according to the operation of the operation unit 30 by the user, the process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, if there is no instruction to end the handwriting mode, the process proceeds to step S1 in FIG.

  In step S34, the information display device 1 is released from the handwriting mode by the control unit 20, and the operation flow ends.

  In this operation flow, the color and darkness of the information input by the user are not particularly touched, but the user specifies the color and darkness of the information to be written by appropriately operating the operation unit 30. You can do that.

  As described above, in the information display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the common electrode Ld is used as both a display electrode and an information input detection electrode, and information is input during switching of display contents. Accept. With such a configuration, even if the information display device has a slow display content rewriting speed, for example, it takes 100 ms to switch the display content, the user can smoothly input information. That is, it is possible to improve the operability related to continuous and direct input by the user. Further, since the number of electrodes provided on the display element layer Lc can be reduced by using both the display electrode and the information input detection electrode, it is possible to suppress deterioration in display performance due to a decrease in light transmission amount. Can do. That is, the image quality can be improved.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the information display device 1 is configured to include the reflective display unit 11, but is not limited thereto. For example, even in an information display device including a display unit that emits light (self-luminous type), the same operations and effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained. That is, the present invention can be applied not only to the information display device 1 including the reflective display unit 11 but also to information display devices in general including an information display device including a self-luminous display unit. In the reflective display unit 11, the number of times light passes through the member above the display element 121 is two times, whereas in the self-luminous display unit, light is transmitted through the member above the display element. Since only one pass is required, the present invention is applied to an information display device having a reflective display unit rather than the case where the present invention is applied to an information display device having a self-luminous display unit. The contribution to the improvement of display performance is higher.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which color display is performed using the display element 121 to which SECD is applied has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a display element that can perform color display in addition to black and white gradation by changing a current value or a writing time and applying a writing current may be applied as appropriate. Further, for the display element 121, a display that performs black-and-white gradation display using a known ED type or EC type electrochemical display element may be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the periods Pw1 and Pw2 in which the display image is switched based on the display data are about 100 milliseconds, and the information input position by the user is detected at intervals of about 20 milliseconds during that period. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the periods Pw1 and Pw2 during which the display image is switched based on the display data may be appropriately changed depending on the type of the display element, or the detection of the input position of information by the user is a predetermined interval other than the 20 millisecond interval. It may be done at the timing.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the information display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of a display part. It is a figure for demonstrating switching of the connection state in a display input panel. It is a figure which illustrates the input mode of the information in a display input panel. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection method of the input coordinate of information. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection method of the input coordinate of information. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of a display element. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the color and current amount which concern on a display element. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the color which concerns on a display element. It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the pixel circuit which concerns on the image display of a display input panel. It is a figure for demonstrating the drive of a pixel circuit. It is a figure which illustrates the relationship between a source voltage and the electric current value of a display element. 3 is a timing chart relating to driving of a pixel circuit. It is a figure which illustrates the timing chart which concerns on operation | movement of an information display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of an information display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of an information display apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of an information display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information display apparatus 10 Display input panel 11 Display part 12 Position detection circuit 13 Display control circuit 14 State switching circuit 20 Control part 30 Operation part 111 Input reception part 121 Display element La Base board | substrate Lb Electrode circuit layer Lc Display element layer Ld Common electrode Le Transparent substrate Lf Protective layer Pc Pixel circuit Sw Switch part

Claims (3)

A method using an electrochromic display element or a method using electrodeposition utilizing dissolution and precipitation of a metal or metal salt is employed, and the display medium is sandwiched between the first electrode and the transparent second electrode. is, the first electrode and switch images by the state change of the display medium by applying a voltage for imparting an electric field to the display media between the second electrode Rutotomoni, the external light in said display medium A display unit that does not consume power for holding an image by realizing display of an image using reflection, and the second electrode is used for detection of an input position of information;
A detection unit for detecting an input position of information with respect to the second electrode;
A display control unit that controls to switch an image in the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit;
In the first period for the switching of the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit is an image, the respective periods of the plurality of times included in the middle of the first period, the said display unit to switch the image 1 After switching from a state to a second state in which the input position of information is detected by the detection unit, the state is switched from the second state to the first state. In the second period in which the display unit performs image switching, information is detected by the detection unit from the first state in which the display unit performs image switching in each of a plurality of periods included in the middle of the second period. after switching to the second state for detecting an input position of a state switching portion Ru switched from the second state to the first state,
An information display device comprising: The information display device according to claim 1,
The state switching unit is
By switching from the state where the second electrode and the display control unit are electrically connected to the state where the second electrode and the detection unit are electrically connected, the second state and the second control unit are changed from the first state to the second state. An information display device characterized by switching to a state. A method using an electrochromic display element or a method using electrodeposition utilizing dissolution and precipitation of a metal or metal salt is employed, and the display medium is sandwiched between the first electrode and the transparent second electrode. is, the first electrode and switch images by the state change of the display medium by applying a voltage for imparting an electric field to the display media between the second electrode Rutotomoni, the external light in said display medium By realizing the display of the image using reflection, power is not consumed for holding the image, and the display unit used for detecting the input position of the information is used for the second electrode, and the information for the second electrode is displayed. A method for driving an information display device, comprising: a detection unit that detects an input position; and a display control unit that controls to switch an image on the display unit based on a detection result by the detection unit. I,
(a) In the first period in which the display unit switches the image based on the detection result by the detection unit, the display unit switches the image in each of a plurality of periods included in the middle of the first period. from a first state in which, after switching to the second state to detect the input position information by the detecting unit, a first step Ru switched from the second state to the first state,
(b) In the second period in which the display unit switches images based on the detection results of the detection unit in the plurality of periods of the first step, each of the plurality of times included in the middle of the second period. the period, from a first state in which the display unit to switch the image, after switching to the second state to detect the input position information by the detecting unit, the Ru switched from the second state to the first state 2 Steps,
A method for driving an information display device comprising:

Images